Ryan Zimmerman hitting well since return
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com
(3:11 pm ET) Since returning from the disabled list with a hamstring injury May 3, Nationals third baseman
Ryan Zimmerman has been one of the
team's best hitters.
In 18 games since his return, Zimmerman is hitting .313 with two home runs and 12 RBI, along with a .421 on-base percentage.
Zimmerman was hitting just .226 with one home run in 15 games prior to his injury. He has raised his average for the season to .274.
Red Sox option Ryan Lavarnway
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com
(3:08 pm ET) The Red Sox have optioned
Ryan Lavarnway to
Triple-A Pawtucket, the
Boston Globe reports.
Lavarnway went 1 for 7 in two games while reserve catcher David Ross was on the 7-day concussion disabled list. Ross's return Friday means Lavarnway heads back to the minors.
Evan Gattis lapping the rookie field
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com
(3:07 pm ET) Despite losing his everyday role recently, Braves catcher
Evan Gattis has not slowed his assault on National League pitching. After homering for the second game in a row Wednesday, Gattis now has 10 on the season, in just 121 at-bats.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Gattis leads rookies in extra-base hits (20), home runs, RBI (27) and slugging percentage (.587), while ranking second in on-base plus slugging percentage (.895).
Gattis has started just one of the team's last five games, despite hitting three home runs in that span.
Red Sox activate David Ross
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com
(3:05 pm ET) The Red Sox have activated catcher
David Ross from
the 7-day concussion disabled list, the
Boston Globe reports.
Ross has been out since May 11. He will return to a backup role behind Jarrod Saltalamacchia. He's hitting .209/.320/.512 in 43 at-bats, including four home runs.
Manny Parra returns from the DL
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com
(2:57 pm ET) After appearing in three games for Double-A Pensacola, the Reds activated reliever
Manny Parra from the
disabled list Friday. Parra has been out since April 23 due to a pectoral injury.
The Reds placed Sean Marshall on the 15-day disabled list to make room for Parra on the active roster.
Sean Marshall hits the shelf
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com
(2:53 pm ET) The Reds placed relief pitcher
Sean Marshall on the
disabled list Friday, after he was diagnosed with a sprained left shoulder. Manny Parra was reinstated from the DL to take his place on the active roster.
Torii Hunter out of Friday's lineup
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com
(2:46 pm ET) Tigers outfielder
Torii Hunter is
out of Friday's lineup, the
Detroit Free Press reports.
Although Hunter's season line is still a sharp .313/.360/.412, he has been slumping for a bit over a month. His OPS peaked at 1.048 on April 19, and since then he's hitting just .252/.310/.304. The 37-year-old has had just two days off in that span, so maybe the Tigers hope another will give him a nice reboot heading into the weekend.
J.C. Romero dealing with shoulder injury as opt-out date looms
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com
(2:34 pm ET) The Nationals are in a bind with regards to minor-league reliever
J.C. Romero, who nearly broke camp with the team in spring training. Romero has an
opt-out clause in his minor-league contract if he is not on the major-league roster by June 1, however he has not pitched since May 8 due to shoulder stiffness, according to
The Washington Post.
Romero has begun a throwing program, but has yet to take the mound again. Prior to the injury, he posted a 2.84 ERA for Triple-A Syracuse, but has a 9.00 ERA in 12 innings in the majors last year.
White Sox activate John Danks from disabled list
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com
(2:32 pm ET) The White Sox have activated starter
John Danks from the 15-day disabled list to start Friday's game against Miami, the club announced.
Danks will be making his season debut after spending most of the first two months rehabilitating from a shoulder injury. He managed a 3.18 ERA through 22 2/3 innings of rehab starts, including a 3.45 ERA in three starts at Triple-A Charlotte.
Bill Bray dealing with shoulder woes in minors
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com
(2:21 pm ET) Nationals minor-league pitcher
Bill Bray is dealing with a shoulder issue that has him on the disabled list at Double-A Harrisburg. He has not pitched since May 14,
and it is not clear when he will be able to return, according to
The Washington Post.
Bray, who was battling for a roster spot in spring training, has an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract by June 1, and it is not clear whether he will choose to stay with the team.